TASMAC Oozhiyar Manila Sammelanam (CITU) vs Government of Tamilnadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment Department

Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2025 Supreme(Mad) 2199

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Honourable Dr.Justice A.D.MARIA CLETE
TASMAC Oozhiyar Manila Sammelanam (CITU) – Appellant
Versus
Government of Tamilnadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment Department – Respondent

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. V.Ajoy Khose, Advocate
For the Respondents:Mr. R. Kumaravel, AGP, Mr. P.S. Raman, Advocate General assisted by Mr.K.Sathish Kumar.

JUDGMENT :

(A.D. MARIA CLETE, J.)

“The slaves are ours:' so do I answer you:

The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought; 'tis mine and I will have it.

If you deny me, fie upon your law!

There is no force in the decrees of Venice.

I stand for judgment: answer; shall I have it?

1. Act 4 Scene 1, The Merchant of Venice

Williams Shakespeare

In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare portrays Shylock, standing before the court of Venice, insisting that Antonio’s bond be strictly enforced, despite appeals from the Duke and others for leniency. His steadfast demand for literal enforcement of the bond — ignoring broader notions of fairness and equity —resonates even today.

If that portrayal were to find a parallel in the present case, it would be in the stance adopted by the second respondent, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd. (TASMAC), which similarly seeks to insist on rigid positions in disregard of broader legal and equitable obligations.

2. If there is one entity today to which this critique squarely applies, it is the 2^nd Respondent – the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC). Established as a Government company in 1983 during the tenure of the then